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Template: Powercor Sub 5MW Generator Performance Standard Guideline

Preview of template's gridmo Flow showing Nodes

Last updated: 20 Mar 2024

Country:

AU

Software required:

PSS®E
PSCAD™

Source: v1.0 (18 Feb 2021)


This gridmo template:

Configuration

To use this template:

  • Configure your global and scenario variables by using gridmo's Model setup template.
  • Download this template using the download button above and load the template into the gridmo web-app.
  • Transfer your general tab data, global variables and scenario variables across using the 'Import' buttons in the gridmo web-app.
  • Complete the below GPS-requirement-specific setup steps.

Section 1.1: Steady State Reactive Power Capability:

  • The template is pre-configured to test between -0.90 (absorbing) and 0.90 (injecting) power factor as per the Load column of this section of the Powercor requirements (to support BESS projects). If you have no load component in your generating system, you can remove the excess rows (rows with power factor step outside of the range -0.93 to 0.93 from the Loop Start Nodes 1097, 1120 and 1112).
  • Please replace the reference to GEN=999#1 inside the PSS®E Static Nodes 1099, 1122 and 1114 with the definition of your PSS®E slack bus generator as per your SMIB model.
  • If your generating system does not support power factor control, please contact gridmo support to discuss the template changes required.
  • If you rely on on-load tap changers to get the required PQ capability, we recommend overriding the normal tap transition time of the tap changer(s) with a much smaller time, so they can settle quickly during these tests.

Section 1.3: Response to frequency disturbances

  • If you require PSCAD™ dynamic results instead of only PSS®E, please enable the PSCAD Nodes 1142 and 1152. Note these are very long PSCAD™ simulations which may take a long time to simulate.

Section 1.5(1): Credible contingency events

  • Convert the distribution and/or transmission fault list provided by Powercor (or otherwise proposed/agreed) into gridmo fault commands in the Loop Start Node 1225. The example faults within the Loop Start Node in the template are examples only.
  • Add the correct relative fault paths for your PSS®E network model into the Loop Start Node 1225. If you have multiple network models or network model cases, modify the Loop Start Node 1225 to repeat the faults for each network case as applicable.

Section 1.5(2): Multiple fault ride through

The template comes pre-configured with a single multiple fault ride through (MFRT) test, with the following faults being applied. Note the below MFRT sequence meets the requirements of this section of the guidelines regarding fault spacing, residual voltage and fault types - but is shorter than the 5 minute (300 second) duration specified to minimise PSCAD™ dynamic simulation time.

#TypeDurationFault impedanceNext fault after [sec]
11PHG220 ms0 (bolted)0.2 sec
2PH-PH430 ms0 (bolted)5 sec
31PHG500 ms70% residual30 sec
42PHG220 ms60% residual30 sec
51PHG430 ms60% residual30 sec
61PHG220 ms0 (bolted)N/A

If your generating system requires a longer MFRT sequence in order to provide a more stable response, then please increase the spacing of the SIMPLEFAULT commands in the PSCAD™ Node 1238 as required - or alternatively enter a different sequence of faults.

Section 1.5(3): Synchronous unit fault response

  • If you have no synchronous plant in your generating system, this section is not applicable and thus can be disabled (disable Start Node 1282).

Section 1.5(4): Asynchronous unit fault response

  • If you have no asynchronous plant in your generating system, this section is not applicable and can be disabled (disable Start Node 1284).

Section 1.7: Partial load rejection

If your generating system is comprised of only grid-following asynchronous plant, then you could instead propose compliance with Section 1.7 via demonstrating compliance with Section 1.3 of the guidelines. Specifically, you could assert that any system separation event, regardless of load reduction of pre-disturbance level cannot exceed the minimum frequency band and ROCOF as per Section 1.3 of the guidelines.

However - if you have a synchronous plant or grid-forming inverters in your generating system, the inertia of your generating system may need to be considered in your generating system's ability to maintain continuous uninterrupted operation during a partial load rejection event.

If you propose to demonstrate compliance with Section 1.7 via a system separation event:

  • Configure the Loop Start Node 1288 with the correct relative file paths for your PSS®E network model
  • Inside PSS®E Dynamic Node 1290, add the fault or SET, STATUS=OUT, AT= commands you intend to use to simulate the network separation event.

If you intend to demonstrate compliance with Section 1.7 via the tests in Section 1.3, then this section is not applicable and can be disabled (disable Start Node 1288).

Section 1.13: Voltage and reactive power control

The Powercor GPS guidelines specifies that a generating system must:

...have facilities with a control system to regulate voltage, reactive power or power factor.

The template has been configured for all three control modes (fixed Q, fixed PF and voltage control / voltage droop) to be tested - but not all may be applicable to your generating system. For voltage control / voltage droop control, an optional Q(V) droop curve is also generated.

  • If your generating system does not support fixed Q control, disable Start Node 1234.
  • If your generating system does not support fixed PF control, disable Start Node 1236.
  • If your generating system does not support voltage control / vdroop, disable Start Node 1232.

Assumptions

  • This template does not include the following sections of the guidelines (as they are not typically completed using dynamic power systems simulation software):
    • 1.1: Steady State Reactive Power Capability - we provide a template section to create a dynamic PQ constrained capability graph. However we do not currently provide the unconstrained PQ capability graph, which is typically completed in DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
    • 1.2: Quality of electricity generated - typically completed in DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
    • 1.6: Quality of Supply Tolerance - typically completed by providing evidence of immunity from OEM.
    • 1.8: Protection of generating systems - not normally completed in power system simulation software.
    • 1.9: Coordination of Protection System - not normally completed in power system simulation software.
    • 1.10: Unstable Behaviour - not normally completed in power system simulation software.
    • 1.12: Impact on network capability - normally demonstrated using the Section 1.5(1) results
    • 1.15: Remote Monitoring and control - not normally completed in power system simulation software.
    • 1.16: Fault current
  • Section 1.3: Response to frequency disturbances:
    • It is unclear if both PSS®E and PSCAD™ results are required for this test. The template is configured to run both PSS®E and PSCAD™ studies, however the PSCAD™ simulation is disabled by default.
  • Section 1.4: Response to voltage disturbances
    • It is unclear if both PSS®E and PSCAD™ results are required for this test, both have been included for completeness.
danger

We have assumed that the voltage ranges specified in Section 1.4 Table 10 are for primary asset withstand only - and therefore do not form part of the voltage withstand capability of the generating system. For example:

  • Remaining connected for a 10 second long -100% voltage single phase or phase-phase fault would require islanding of the Powercor distribution network, which we assume is not desirable.
  • Similarly, the +50% to +80% single phase voltage ride-through requirements are well in excess of the NER S5.2.5.4 requirements (and in most cases, well beyond the capability of many generating systems) and are assumed to be primarily for primary asset rating on distribution networks with rapid earth fault current limiters (REFCLs) fitted.

Therefore - we have not included any PSS®E or PSCAD™ tests for Section 1.4 Table 10 in this template.

  • Section 1.5(2): Multiple fault ride through
    • We have assumed that the MFRT test should be completed in PSCAD™ only, as all faults in the sequence are unbalanced faults.
  • Section 1.13: Voltage and reactive power control
    • We have assumed compliance with these technical requirements can be completed using SMIB models only - if PSS®E network studies are required, the relevant sections of S5.2.5.13 can be copied from the AEMO GPS template. template into this flow.

Sources

Template revision history

  • 15 April 2024 (v1.4.12):
    • Updated to align with newest template Sticky Note format.
  • 20 March 2024 (v1.4.11)
    • First version released.